Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Ree Gorer
Date
22 Aug 1936
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL236
Date
22 Aug 1936
Transcript
Swansea 22 Aug 1936
My Dearest Rée
At last I write, a long time in doing so do forgive me. It seemed as if I would never get here being held up in Dorset finishing work I brought out of London, finally on here, where I have been lost in a thick sea mist for 4 days out of 5, but at last today, joy, the sky is clear & cloudless and I can see the landscape nicely spaced below me fields farms chapels & a lovely 5 mile stretch of golden sand with Worn’s [?] Hd at one end. Tremendous sea views, more Cedric’s than mine, still I see heaps of jolly things if I can walk for them & climb for them. The air is pure & good & the country breathes of peace & quiet, and ideal spot for a tired clergyman’s holiday with his wife & family.
I am expecting D Selby & presently we may move on to a tiny fishing village in Pembrokeshire, not far off, at present infested by trippers, but later on will suit us as being rather more of a pocket edition of what we want than this vast panorama, great as it is.
I saw Macdonald before leaving London. He rather hopes I’ll be ready for a Show in the Autumn but leaves it to me to do my best. So much depends on the weather by the law of averages we should have a heatwave but this is Wales. He has Priscilla Preece up his Sleeve. Do you remember the shy girl painter sponsored by Roger Fry & D Grant? Shy? A pose. I saw her at the Gallery – most attractive creature. Well! She may look like a poem but she paints like a pudding – the suet variety. I think Macdonald may run our shows conjointly.
I should love some news of life at The Elms. Is Geoffrey with you? Are his plans maturing nicely? And how is Richard’s cottage turning out – is he enjoying it?
The finger gave you no more trouble I hope.
That happy bright week I spent with you passed like a dream – much love always from Frances & gratitude indeed.
My Dearest Rée
At last I write, a long time in doing so do forgive me. It seemed as if I would never get here being held up in Dorset finishing work I brought out of London, finally on here, where I have been lost in a thick sea mist for 4 days out of 5, but at last today, joy, the sky is clear & cloudless and I can see the landscape nicely spaced below me fields farms chapels & a lovely 5 mile stretch of golden sand with Worn’s [?] Hd at one end. Tremendous sea views, more Cedric’s than mine, still I see heaps of jolly things if I can walk for them & climb for them. The air is pure & good & the country breathes of peace & quiet, and ideal spot for a tired clergyman’s holiday with his wife & family.
I am expecting D Selby & presently we may move on to a tiny fishing village in Pembrokeshire, not far off, at present infested by trippers, but later on will suit us as being rather more of a pocket edition of what we want than this vast panorama, great as it is.
I saw Macdonald before leaving London. He rather hopes I’ll be ready for a Show in the Autumn but leaves it to me to do my best. So much depends on the weather by the law of averages we should have a heatwave but this is Wales. He has Priscilla Preece up his Sleeve. Do you remember the shy girl painter sponsored by Roger Fry & D Grant? Shy? A pose. I saw her at the Gallery – most attractive creature. Well! She may look like a poem but she paints like a pudding – the suet variety. I think Macdonald may run our shows conjointly.
I should love some news of life at The Elms. Is Geoffrey with you? Are his plans maturing nicely? And how is Richard’s cottage turning out – is he enjoying it?
The finger gave you no more trouble I hope.
That happy bright week I spent with you passed like a dream – much love always from Frances & gratitude indeed.
Sender's address
The Cottage - Llangennith - Swansea
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E
H
McCormick
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